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The Magic Castle: A Mother's Harrowing True Story Of Her Adoptive Son's Multiple Personalities-- And The Triumph Of Healing
Alex Smith and his eight personalities were trapped in a world of unfathomable evil...until he entered the "magic castle" and found the key to his freedom.
When Carole Smith and her husband decided to take in a foster child that no one else would have, they knew ten-year-old Alex would be difficult. But nothing had prepared them for the unruly, self-destructive boy who stormed into their lives. Alone with Alex during the day, Carole was baffled by his infantile tantrums and violent, self-hating behaviors. Exasperated, she tried relating to him as the two-year-old he appeared to be, and finally, a door to Alex's mind began to open.
With the help of psychiatrist Dr. Steven Kingsbury, Alex's tormented mind revealed a host of personalities, each born in a horrifying episode of Alex's past-- each carrying a memory too powerful for his conscious mind to handle. As the personalities came forth in the safety of Alex's inner, secret castle, they unleashed stories of abandonment, brainwashing, and sexual abuse by those Alex trusted the most. In the spellbinding tradition of Sybil and When Rabbit Howls , here is a fascinating true story of the human mind; of innocence shattered by inhuman cruelty; and ultimately of love's power to transform fragments into wholeness-- tragedy into triumph.
When Carole Smith and her husband decided to take in a foster child that no one else would have, they knew ten-year-old Alex would be difficult. But nothing had prepared them for the unruly, self-destructive boy who stormed into their lives. Alone with Alex during the day, Carole was baffled by his infantile tantrums and violent, self-hating behaviors. Exasperated, she tried relating to him as the two-year-old he appeared to be, and finally, a door to Alex's mind began to open.
With the help of psychiatrist Dr. Steven Kingsbury, Alex's tormented mind revealed a host of personalities, each born in a horrifying episode of Alex's past-- each carrying a memory too powerful for his conscious mind to handle. As the personalities came forth in the safety of Alex's inner, secret castle, they unleashed stories of abandonment, brainwashing, and sexual abuse by those Alex trusted the most. In the spellbinding tradition of Sybil and When Rabbit Howls , here is a fascinating true story of the human mind; of innocence shattered by inhuman cruelty; and ultimately of love's power to transform fragments into wholeness-- tragedy into triumph.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 15, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 4, 2011
Very disturbing, but an amazing true story.
Recommended for psychology majors.
Recommended for psychology majors.
January 16, 2018
A very sad tale. Very well-written. I could feel this mother's emotions as she fought to help her adopted son struggle through his disorder. Not a book for the faint-hearted or casual reader. Very somber subject matter.
May 23, 2011
Captured me for a full day of reading. How does one survive such brutality?
January 13, 2013
Very intense story. Helped me understand how amazing our minds are. The power they hold in being able to protect us yet can keep us so ill in the same sense.
December 31, 2019
It's been a long time since I read this one, The Magic Castle by Carole Smith. Books about child systems are few and far between. Of course, all systems begin as child systems, but most aren't known to be such by others until they're older. Child systems often get other labels - ADHD, bipolar, attachment disorder, conduct disorder, etc. And, of course, these labels may be accurate, they're just not the whole story. Back when this was published, accounts of caring for foster children or severely traumatised kids weren't that common. Now there's a whole shelf for them in the bookshop. Torey Hayden has touched on childhood multiplicity, as has Casey Watson. Back in the 1970s, Nancy Lynn Gooch was discovered by her adoptive parents and her teacher-cum-therapist to be a multiple system, as a teenager - their experiences were published as Nightmare: Uncovering the Strange 56 Personalities of Nancy Lynn Gooch. But largely, the field of books is about adult bodied systems.
If I was to make a comparison between this book and another, probably the closest in feel is something radically different - Reasonable People by Ralph James Savarese, about the journey their family took when they fostered then adopted their nonspeaking, autistic, severely abused son, DJ. Because of DJ's trauma and experiences both with his biological family and in foster care, DJ had a long road of recovery, therapy and attachment to his adoptive family, complicated by his autism. He found relief from learning to type, and from receiving EMDR therapy. Alex comes from a similarly horrific background, and presents initially in the book as having behavioural issues stemming from an attachment disorder - a very common issue in abused kids in foster care, though the term is never used - I am unsure without researching just when attachment disorders became widely known about. Alex acts out, Alex self harms, Alex steals, destroys, and, apparently, lies and lies. But fairly quickly Carole, his foster mother realises that when Alex apologises, he doesn't seem to have memory of the behaviour he's apologising for. While working through the stages of attachment from infancy onwards, there are moments that are obviously amnesic, obviously dissociative, or obviously not Alex, but someone else looking through the body's eyes. Carole doesn't mess around - she contacts trauma specialist Dr Bessel van der Kolk, and gets referred on to the specialist who is able to act as support for Alex, his therapist, and his family through the processing of his trauma. Alex's system members, when they emerge, are often rudimentary and erratic. Only a couple have names, the rest are anchored to specific trauma dates or rituals they endured. This is consistent with some other child systems that have been written about, that the selves can be less fully formed than they might be in adult systems. This doesn't make Alex any less multiple, it just highlights how little we know about multiplicity in children, because of the above-mentioned misdiagnoses.
Now, this is a book that talks about ritual abuse, and I know that's not for everyone, and that not everyone believes in abuse memories that contain it, thanks to the hysteria of the midnineties. But, as the specialist says, paederast rings commonly used sleight of hand and tricks to convince frightened children of what they saw, proper horror movie effects with fake blood and butcher's offcuts. And, when it came down to it, whether Alex was part of a genuine cult or part of a paederast ring that used pantomime doesn't matter, because Alex's experience was that it was real, and his treatment was the same - honouring his memories of the trauma he experienced and processing that. It's also a book about the ways the system can fail traumatised kids - the fostercare system, the respite system, and the psychiatric system, specifically psych hospitals. So if any of these are problems for you, use caution, but as an account of successfully, laboriously working through severe trauma in a foster/adoption context, it's pretty good.
If I was to make a comparison between this book and another, probably the closest in feel is something radically different - Reasonable People by Ralph James Savarese, about the journey their family took when they fostered then adopted their nonspeaking, autistic, severely abused son, DJ. Because of DJ's trauma and experiences both with his biological family and in foster care, DJ had a long road of recovery, therapy and attachment to his adoptive family, complicated by his autism. He found relief from learning to type, and from receiving EMDR therapy. Alex comes from a similarly horrific background, and presents initially in the book as having behavioural issues stemming from an attachment disorder - a very common issue in abused kids in foster care, though the term is never used - I am unsure without researching just when attachment disorders became widely known about. Alex acts out, Alex self harms, Alex steals, destroys, and, apparently, lies and lies. But fairly quickly Carole, his foster mother realises that when Alex apologises, he doesn't seem to have memory of the behaviour he's apologising for. While working through the stages of attachment from infancy onwards, there are moments that are obviously amnesic, obviously dissociative, or obviously not Alex, but someone else looking through the body's eyes. Carole doesn't mess around - she contacts trauma specialist Dr Bessel van der Kolk, and gets referred on to the specialist who is able to act as support for Alex, his therapist, and his family through the processing of his trauma. Alex's system members, when they emerge, are often rudimentary and erratic. Only a couple have names, the rest are anchored to specific trauma dates or rituals they endured. This is consistent with some other child systems that have been written about, that the selves can be less fully formed than they might be in adult systems. This doesn't make Alex any less multiple, it just highlights how little we know about multiplicity in children, because of the above-mentioned misdiagnoses.
Now, this is a book that talks about ritual abuse, and I know that's not for everyone, and that not everyone believes in abuse memories that contain it, thanks to the hysteria of the midnineties. But, as the specialist says, paederast rings commonly used sleight of hand and tricks to convince frightened children of what they saw, proper horror movie effects with fake blood and butcher's offcuts. And, when it came down to it, whether Alex was part of a genuine cult or part of a paederast ring that used pantomime doesn't matter, because Alex's experience was that it was real, and his treatment was the same - honouring his memories of the trauma he experienced and processing that. It's also a book about the ways the system can fail traumatised kids - the fostercare system, the respite system, and the psychiatric system, specifically psych hospitals. So if any of these are problems for you, use caution, but as an account of successfully, laboriously working through severe trauma in a foster/adoption context, it's pretty good.
September 10, 2016
It was a very interesting and touching read, especially since I know the main character.
July 24, 2017
This book has a perspective that's not often covered. It's written from the point of view of a parent, about a teen aged patient.
The writer is largely rational, and you can tell she at least tried to stick to her experience of what happened.
The use of hypnosis by one of the doctors, and the escalation of the strangeness of the circumstances that happened in the uncovered past, dangerously nudge this story towards "recovered memories fiasco" territory, but I think all in all, they managed to avoid it. The possibilities of it having all happened as it was remembered, or not, are both kept into consideration, giving this book some balance.
I'd definitely have preferred that a proper police investigation had occurred and been included in the book, but sadly that doesn't seem to have happened.
As it is, it's still informative, well enough written, and doesn't reek of exploitation, which is more than many similar books can say.
The writer is largely rational, and you can tell she at least tried to stick to her experience of what happened.
The use of hypnosis by one of the doctors, and the escalation of the strangeness of the circumstances that happened in the uncovered past, dangerously nudge this story towards "recovered memories fiasco" territory, but I think all in all, they managed to avoid it. The possibilities of it having all happened as it was remembered, or not, are both kept into consideration, giving this book some balance.
I'd definitely have preferred that a proper police investigation had occurred and been included in the book, but sadly that doesn't seem to have happened.
As it is, it's still informative, well enough written, and doesn't reek of exploitation, which is more than many similar books can say.
November 11, 2021
Carole Smith is an amazing, smart mother who has loved Alex as her own. This book raises some seriously valid points about the inefficiency of the child welfare system, adoption, and Social Services. She paints a portrait of her boy’s life, detailing his tremendous growth, and his setbacks. Many books about mentally ill people focus on a person's life with illness. Carole Smith showed readers who Alex was as a person; we knew who Alex was before his diagnosis, not just who Alex was post-diagnosis. I can feel her joy and pride when I read certain parts. “You are not crazy. For you to create a personality to handle intolerable trauma was the sanest and most intelligent thing you could have done.” 4/5 due to abrupt/sudden ending.
March 23, 2017
A very interesting book. This book is highly explicit, so if you're tender to that then it is best to be careful. I found this book especially interesting because it's from the point-of-view of a foster mother who learned her adoptive son has dissociative identity disorder due to his treatment prior to their meeting (mostly). It's unusual in that it's from a parental perspective (and therefore from a point of view of someone who has not experienced the abuse) and it is about a male victim. Certainly there are male victims, but the majority one hears about it sees are female. The only reason it received four stars instead of five was it was a little long-winded and repetitive.
PopSugar 2017: a book by or about a person with a disability
Although Alex was able, through his therapy and support system, to overcome his disability.
PopSugar 2017: a book by or about a person with a disability
Although Alex was able, through his therapy and support system, to overcome his disability.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2025
“It will be over,” Dr. Kingsbury told me. “It did end at one time, and it will
be over.” I held these words close to my heart. They gave me hope. They
kept me going. “It did end at one time.” This was true. The abuse had
stopped before Alex’s ninth birthday. The children who had suffered that
abuse would no doubt continue to come forward to tell him of their pain.
When, at some point, there was nothing else to tell, when the past and the
future came together, it would be over.
be over.” I held these words close to my heart. They gave me hope. They
kept me going. “It did end at one time.” This was true. The abuse had
stopped before Alex’s ninth birthday. The children who had suffered that
abuse would no doubt continue to come forward to tell him of their pain.
When, at some point, there was nothing else to tell, when the past and the
future came together, it would be over.
March 1, 2021
I work in child welfare where so many foster parents are challenged by the trauma the children experienced. Ms. Carole’s strength the people who helped along the journey and those who didn’t all contributed to the life of the child and the support of the foster parent needs. I true eye opener for this Child Welfare Professional
January 2, 2019
Very very graphic! Usually reading about traumatic stories do not emotionally get to me but this story was horrifying. I had to put it down a few times or skim over some graphic details. Very interesting read about working with someone who has DID and how to reintegrate personalities.
April 17, 2024
This book was very well written. It was difficult to read on the terrible abuse this boy endured. Worse than many other books I’ve read about DID, but it was good to see how Alex dealt with it. If you’re interested in psychology and DID, I would recommend this book.
October 30, 2024
Wow........what an incredible read. The abuse suffered by this little boy was truly horrendous and hard to stomach. The story though is one of courage, strength and unconditional love by an adoptive parent. An absolute page turner. Highly recommend, but not for the faint of heart.
May 9, 2018
This story will break your heart. The things this young man had to endure were horrible. Not for the weak of heart.
December 23, 2023
Heartbreaking but beautiful. Such a great book!
Read
March 15, 2017This book was hard to read but gripping at the same time. I don't know how his mother could live with her self.
August 25, 2017
This was a tough one for me. Books like this make me want to find the abusers and go 'postal' on them. Then I want to find the survivors and warm fuzzy them. Alex's story is one that needs not just to be read but taken into the reader's soul and left there never to be forgotten. Even though this story was years ago it is still much to be understood about this mental illness, and that is so very sad.
The way it was written it was a little hard to read. The style of writing was one of the jumping around variety, and I had to go back and forth a lot, which tends to annoy me. Given that one tiny peeve it was a remarkable read. Filled with all the disgust for the villains to fill an ocean and all the admiration for the victim for the courage to survive and heal.
The way it was written it was a little hard to read. The style of writing was one of the jumping around variety, and I had to go back and forth a lot, which tends to annoy me. Given that one tiny peeve it was a remarkable read. Filled with all the disgust for the villains to fill an ocean and all the admiration for the victim for the courage to survive and heal.
September 12, 2016
This book is a gripping tale of a mother's determination to help her foster son. The strength and intuition she shows is inspiring. Those who've had to fight on behalf of a child a due any mental or physical illness will easily identify her struggles. For those who haven't, this will be a poignant look into lives of parents who have. The overall theme of the book is to follow your intuition and never stop fighting. I highly recommend this book!
November 21, 2013
although this book was quite hard for me to read, it was an amazing book. i'm interested in psychological disorders so this is a very good book to read if you also like those types of books. there were moments where i had to put the book down and step away from it for a little while because of the situations, they were hard to read.
November 19, 2016
Love conquers all. This true story is shocking as well as enlightening. It is a show case of human cruelty and evil perversion, but it also show how good is still possible and evil can be defeated.
I wish the best and all the blessings for Alex and his family and for the perpetrators, well God will find them and then they will see.
I wish the best and all the blessings for Alex and his family and for the perpetrators, well God will find them and then they will see.
April 26, 2019
This is the amazing story of an adaptive mother with an emotionally damaged child. Little did she know the deep roots and dissociation that took place. Fascinating book
April 19, 2017
The fact that this boy made it through his childhood trauma is a genuine miracle. While "multiple personalities" is still doubted today, this book takes you through a harrowing tale of a boy who acts out in a violent way. He loses time and forgets people and things. In this book, his adoptive mother takes you with her on the journey from adoption, to hospitalizations, to horrible flashbacks and blackouts and then comes full circle with therapy, integration, and recovery.
Read
June 11, 2018Disturbing - I couldn't finish because I just kept thinking about all the things Alex had been through. I can see this being an invaluable resource in psychology or even education classes, but it was just too intense and sad for me.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews